Okotoks, AB – The Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are proud to announce that 1999 born centre Blake Wells (Blackie, AB) has committed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks.

Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, the River Hawks play in the NCAA’s Hockey East Conference under 6th year Head Coach Norm Bazin.

The Riverhawks have won three conference championships in the past eight seasons (2013, 2014, 2017), have participated in eight NCAA Tournaments including one trip to the Frozen Four (2013). Lowell has also won three NCAA Division II titles (1979, 1981, 1982).

Wells, 19, is entering his sophomore season with the Oilers after recording 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 49 games during his rookie campaign with the organization. Blake also suited up in nine AJHL playoff games, helping the Oilers to their first appearance in the league championship while registering one goal.

Blake is third Oiler in franchise history to commit to the Riverhawks joining former Oilers Colin O’Neill & John Edwardh to don the blue, white and red.

Oilers Head Coach / GM / Director of Hockey Development Tyler Deis says the Oilers saw something special in Blake back in 2015 when the team affiliated him and now he’s being rewarded for his hard work and determination.

“Blake has shown strong development in both his game on and off the ice and in the locker room as one of the team’s leaders going into the 2017-18 AJHL Season,” he says. “For a local player from around the Foothills area and now playing junior hockey in Okotoks, it has been a privilege to coach him and we’re excited as an organization to see the next step of his game grow this year.”

During the 2017-18 season Wells also received international recognition as he was one of four Oilers invited to the 2017 World Junior A Challenge selection camp.

The Oilers would like to congratulate Blake and his family on his achievement and thank him for his dedication to our organization both on the ice and in the community.

Blake is the 3rd Oiler on the 2018-19 roster to commit to a NCAA Division I Institution as he joins Dylan Holloway (University of Wisconsin) and Austin Wong (Harvard University).